Nombramientos

📍 Grupo Preferente held a tribute for Gabriel Escarrer Juliá during their awards, highlighting his legacy as a patriarch in the hotel industry. The event took place at Fitur, where Ifema organizers failed to acknowledge Escarrer's recent passing. Despite the absence of recognition from Ifema and Spanish tourism officials like Minister Jordi Hereu and Secretary Rosario Sánchez, the private ceremony led by Rafael Caballero was lauded as significant for the Spanish and Caribbean tourism sector. Notably, the president of Meliá, Gabriel Escarrer Jaume, along with other prominent figures like Miguel Fluxá and Frank Rainieri, attended. Baleares President Marga Prohens also praised Escarrer's global leadership and impact on the Balearic Islands.

🏥 Ignacio Ayala del Valle joins IAG7 Viajes as the new director of franchises and associates, bringing extensive experience from his over nine years at Nautalia Viajes leading the franchise department and implementing Wamos Group's air consolidator, Magnet España Viajes. Ayala also held a similar role at Barceló Viajes for two years, helping to add 130 sales points, and spent over 17 years at the now-defunct Marsans group. His appointment aims to enhance IAG7's integration with other travel agencies and provide advanced technological tools, supplier agreements, and services for business travel, MICE, and vacation travel.

🏥 José Lorenzo Mulet, former vice president of Barceló for 20 years, passed away on a Monday in Mallorca. Mulet began his career at Barceló in 1970, was the general director from 1970 to 1985, and then became the executive vice president of Barceló Hotels. He retired in 2005 at 59 and was once named "Empresario del Futuro" by Actualidad Económica magazine. His death was announced by Raúl González, an executive of the hotel chain.

🏆 Gabriel Escarrer Juliá to receive tribute at Grupo Preferente awards during Fitur. His son, CEO of Meliá Hotels, will accept an artistic piece by painter Joan Ramis Sineu, signed by tourism colleagues. Event is set for around 1 PM at IFEMA's Sala Neptuno, showcasing the Spanish and Latin American tourism elite in honor of Spain's most universal tourism figure.

🏢 Agustina Salord has been appointed as the new General Director of tourism technology company Dingus, aiming to align internal and external client needs to enhance customer service. Previously the Director of Customer Service at Dingus, Salord plans to take customer attention to the next level. Paula Servera and Milena Galindo, VP Strategy & Growth and VP Strategy & Partnerships respectively, will focus on market opportunities, product development, business growth, and strategic alliances post-appointment.

📍 Tensions arise between the Italian Government, majority partner of ITA, and Lufthansa, which acquired 41% of ITA's capital. Antonino Turicchi resigned as ITA's non-executive president, replaced by Sandro Pappalardo. Joerg Eberhart, ex-chief of Strategy for Lufthansa and head of Air Dolomiti from 2014-2021, becomes ITA's top executive. Despite ITA's significant losses in 2021 and 2022, the airline lost only five million in 2023 and achieved a positive Ebit of 20 million in 2024. The finalization of the operation and leadership transition occurred recently.

🏨 Alejandro Coll Fuster joins Ona Hotels & Apartments as the new Director of Expansion, tasked with doubling the company's portfolio in 2-3 years. Coll has over 20 years of experience in the hotel and real estate sectors. Ona Hotels & Apartments, which has added 10 new establishments in the last two years, now boasts a total of 42 hotels, 29 owned by the chain. The growth plan includes acquisitions, rentals, or management for third parties, targeting 50 establishments this year.

🏢 Amber Pine will join TUI Group as Marketing Director of Markets and Airlines from April 24, 2025. With 15+ years at Sky, she's led divisions like Consumer, Sales, and Marketing, and directed Broadband and Connectivity. At TUI, she'll report to David Schelp and CEO Sebastian Ebel on strategic projects, driving transformation in Marketing, Sales, and Customer areas, developing the TUI brand, and leading teams focused on brand strategy, content, customer experience, and sales optimization. This is part of TUI's efforts to consolidate a Selected Global Market with more personalized technology and services.

✈ Michael O'Leary, CEO of Ryanair, will receive a €100 million bonus if the company's stock price reaches €21 for 28 consecutive days. Comparing his potential earnings to sports figures, O'Leary references Premier League players and coaches' high salaries, like Pep Guardiola's £25 million annual income, and footballer Mbappé's €130 million for playing at Real Madrid. He defends executive salaries, citing the responsibility of leading a company with over 20,000 employees.

🏡 The Casacuberta family in Barcelona has declined a €95 million bid for their 5-star Kimpton Vividora hotel, aiming for more than the offered price. Initially priced at €140 million, they've reduced their asking price to €115 million. The hotel, located in the Gothic quarter near Las Ramblas, opened in 2020 and won an award for Spain's best hotel interior design. The family, invested in real estate since 1986, also owns properties in Madrid, Bilbao, and Geneva.